Cigar-lighter



C. E. GERVAIS.

CIGAR LIGHTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1919.

1,364,274. Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

6.5 gen/gig 0. E. GEM A53.

CIGAR LIGHTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY29, I919.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921. 2 SHEETS-SHEET Z- jim uewtoz l III II 3 Ni l UNITE CHARLES E. GERVAIS, 0F JACKSONVZLLE, FLORIDA.

CIGAR-LIGHTER.

Application filed. May 29, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLns E. GERVAIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Duval and State of FloridaThave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cigar-Lighters, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has for an object to effect improvements in cigar lighting devices, particularly in receptacles for torches of that type having a wick disposed at the end saturated with alcohol or other like fuel, replenished from a reservoir in the handle of the torch or in a well into which the torch is inserted. It is an important object to so construct the device that there will be a minimum liability of ignition of any stored or reserved body of fuel in the receptacle.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention may be understood from the following description and drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevational view of a lighter device constructed in accordance with my invention, partly in section,

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof,

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit,

Fig. is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modification.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section showing the well and safety device of the first form of the invention, when the torch is removed.

There is illustrated in Fig. 1 a familiar type of well 10, surrounded by an annular barometric chamber 11, the well having a lateral opening 12 therein adjacent its lower part forming communication with the interior of the chamber 11. A filling opening for the chamber 11 is provided at 13. The well is extended a short distance above the body of the chamber 11 providing a rest 13' upon which there is engaged the inner part of a handle torch 14, upon which there is mounted a short tube 15 projected into the well, and extending to within a short distance of its bottom. The short tube 15 has inserted therein a suitable wick 16. The exposed end of the wick preferably reaches a depth in the well closely adjacent the outlet 12 from the chamber 11 into the well. Supported upon a suitable spring 17 there is a foraminate plate 18 corresponding in form and size to the interior of the well, but loosely movable therein for vertical sliding Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4:, 1921.

Serial No. 300,515.

movement under the force of the spring at times. This plate is engaged by the exposed end of the wick 16, and held downwardly normally by the weight of the torch proper, which is considered to comprise the handle 14: and tube, 15 with the wick mounted therein.

The well and chamber 11 may include a plate 20 projected at the side for securement upon a support. The support in the present instance comprises a housing 21 for a battery and spark coil, the latter two not being illustrated in detail, as they may comprise a suitable form of battery and spark coil operating upon the principles already familiar in the art, although it may be stated that 1 am using a spark coil of high efficiency which i have developed for such use. Upon the side of the casing 21 there is provided a metal bracket 23, having a recessed upper side in which the metal tube 15 of the torch may be laid, and upon the side of the casing on a level with the recessed top of the bracket there is a circular plate or electrode 2%, which in the present instance is of ornamental form, but preferably includes a central raised or outwardly projected part 25 toward which and in close relation to which the extremity of the wick 16 maybe adjusted when the torch is laid in the bracket. One terminal of the battery is connected to the bracket 23, while the other is extended to one of the terminals of the primary in the coil, being connected in any familiar way with the primary and secondary of the coil. The opposite terminal of the coil is then connected by means of the wire 26 to the tube 15 surrounding the wick, the wire being preferably extended in thfiough the handle portion from its outer en The plate 18 is preferably of proper thickness and of suitable metal to check deflagration as intended, and the apertures therein are made quite small, for the same reason. The plate is provided with a spring 17 capable of moving it midway of the well 10, or farther.

In the event that a torch is employed in which a reservoir is formed in the handle, my device is of value in case there should be leakage of fuel from the torch while in the well. In Fig. i there is illustrated a well 30, in which there is inserted a torch 31 having a reservoir handle 32 adapted to feed liquid to a wick extended into the handle, the end of the wick being disposed on the end of the torch. A make and break sparking device is formally shown here, for igniting fuel at the end of the wick as it is withdrawn which may be connected in any desirable way with a source of electricity. The well has mounted therein a plate 18 similar to the one 18 first mentioned, mounted upon a spring 17 whereby the plate will be held near the bottom of the well by the torch when inserted therein, but will follow the torch upward a considerable distance when the torch is lifted out, and prevent leakage of liquid to the body of the well when the spark occurs as the torch is withdrawn from the upper end of the well. Also, in case the wick should leak and a certain amount of fuel gather in the lower part of the Well, this fuel will be protected from ignition.

l/Vhat is claimed:

A device of the character described comprising a well element, means for supplying liquid fuel at a predetermined level, a torch adapted to be inserted therein, a vertically movable foraminate flame checking member in the well and yieldable means tending to support the foraminate member at a high point spaced above the fuel in the well.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. GERVAIS,

Witnesses PAUL E. Homers, KAY DIXON. 

